A Seymour woman was hospitalized for evaluation Saturday after escaping her burning home on the city’s northeast side.

Betty J. Grant was treated at the emergency room at Schneck Medical Center after the fire reported around 2 p.m. at her home at 644 Berkshire Court near Seymour Middle School.

“Originally, we were told by a neighbor that they knew one woman lived there by herself, but we ended up not having to suit up for a rescue,” Capt. Keith Campbell said.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

He said the first firefighters on scene found the fire burning through the roof of Grant’s one-story brick home, purchased in November of 1999, and releasing thick smoke.

Those firefighters also were told a police officer who had already arrived on the scene had met with Grant, who was outside the home.

Grant, however, was taken to Schneck Medical Center for evaluation.

A neighbor, Angela Sizemore, said they rushed home as soon as they saw the fire on social media.

“We knew she works the night shift, and we were terrified she was asleep when it happened,” Sizemore said.

Sizemore said her family checks on Grant on occasion and helps with yard work and housework, because they know she often slept during the days.

Campbell said Grant was lucky she got out when she did.

“It was bad enough when we got here, a rescue might not have been possible,” Campbell said.

It took about an hour and a half to get the fire under control.

The fire was difficult to fight, due in part to the size of the home and the amount of property inside it, Campbell said.

Those conditions allowed the fire to spread easily from one place to another and restricted movement in the house, he said.

Campbell estimated that much of the home and its contents were destroyed during the fire, which occurred during a mix of wintry weather.

“It’s pretty hot when it was burning, but now it’s just starting to get cold,” Campbell said as firefighters went about the task of putting out hot spots.